My Genealogy Hound

Andrew Sutherland (2d), who has been postmaster at Oxford since 1898, was appointed by President McKinley and later by President Roosevelt and is no doubt one of the most prominent business and political leaders of his county. He is also the senior member of the large mercantile firm of A. & J. G. Sutherland, which company has been prominently known for the past eight years, and is at present one of the most honorable business houses of the region. He was born in Ray township, Macomb County, Michigan, in 1853, and is a son of Robert and Polly (Goodell) Sutherland, who were born in New York and Vermont, respectively.

Robert Sutherland spent the greater part of his life in the pursuits of a general farmer and was very successful. He died in 1860, when our subject was but seven years of age. In 1865 our subject’s mother removed to Oxford, Oakland County, and died there in 1900, at the age of 83 years. Robert Sutherland and wife were the parents of eight children, namely: Andrew (2d); J. G., who is a partner in the store of A. & J. G. Sutherland; L. W., now a farmer located in Oxford township, but formerly for 25 years engaged in the mercantile business, who began as a clerk for David W. Bell, and later bought out F. C. Barber & Company; D. J., a resident of Saginaw, who was a member of the Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry; Gilbert M., who died in a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1864; and Roswell G., Joseph and Sally L., who died of an epidemic in the fall of 1865. Roswell G. Goodell, a brother, of our subject’s mother, is now residing at Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the age of 90 years.

Our subject received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of Oxford and later entered an academy at Oxford and completed his education. He began business life as a clerk for his brother, L. W. Sutherland, in 1872. He has at present a half interest in the largest store in Oxford, measuring 40 feet wide and 90 feet deep on the first floor and full basement. The firm of A. & J. G. Sutherland conducts a complete department store (except that no hardware is handled), and does an enormous business which is due to the well selected stock and reasonable prices. Seven clerks are employed and the two partners take an active part in waiting on customers. Shrewd business methods and a thorough knowledge of all the requirements of the trade have brought about the splendid results as set forth in the flourishing store.

Mr. Sutherland was married at Oxford to Elvira Whitcomb, a daughter of Gilbert J. Whitcomb, who has been a leading merchant of Oxford for many years. Our subject is a stanch Republican and always takes an active part in political matters. He has served as township and village clerk and also four years as councilman. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Uniform Rank, K. of P., and the Foresters. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has sung in the choir for the past 35 years and acted as leader for 15 years; he is also an officer of the Sunday-school.

Andrew Sutherland, our subject’s uncle, was born January 1, 1828, at Seneca, Ontario County, New York, and is a son of Andrew and Dorothy (Thompson) Sutherland.

Andrew Sutherland and wife were both natives of New York, where they followed general farming. Removing to Michigan, they landed June 28, 1831, from the boat that carried them from Buffalo to Detroit. Andrew Sutherland took up a tract of 160 acres in Ray township, Macomb County, and at once began to clear and cultivate it. The land then being but a wilderness was abundantly supplied with game which afforded food for many years both winter and summer. He died or was killed while crossing the Clinton River, April 26, 1861, having reached the age of 77 years; his wife’s death followed three years later, in 1864, at Oxford, Michigan. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Lucretia, David, Robert, Elizabeth, Joseph, Emily and Moses, who are deceased, and Andrew, our subject’s uncle.

Andrew Sutherland, our subject’s uncle, spent his boyhood days and until 32 years of age on the farm in Macomb County, where he followed farming and also served as justice of the peace for several years. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge in Oxford, and a member of the K. O. T. M. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church of Oxford.

Andrew Sutherland was married to his first wife, Jane Boylan, in Macomb County, Michigan, January 1, 1849. She died December 22, 1857, leaving one child that died in infancy. He was married to his second wife, Abbie Clark, January 12, 1859, and she is now living at the age of 64 years. She is a splendid woman and is highly respected by all who know her. They were the parents of six children, two of whom are deceased, namely: M. (Fuller) and Andrew P. Those living are: Jane, who married Charles G. De Shon, a clothing merchant of Oxford, Michigan; Margaret, wife of Desmond P. Lee, of Toledo, Ohio; C. J., a physician of Clarkston, Michigan; and Frank, of Oxford, Michigan, who is traveling for a Cincinnati firm, manufacturers of neckwear.